24 Crazy Races That Prove Runners Are The Best Kind Of Weirdos
1. Bad Prom Run
facebook.com/badpromrunLocation: Major U.S. Cities (see if there is one near you)
Reason to sign up: Revisit the awkward horror of high school prom with this hilariously outfitted race. In the dead of night, Prom kings and queens struggle to go the distance in the most ridiculous gowns and tuxes imaginable. It is 100% more fun than actual prom.
Register here: badprom.com
2. Nude Run of Finland
narunappula.comLocation: Finland
Reason to sign up: If you’re into nudism, this is something you’ll want to consider. Yes, you run the entire 5k in the nude, along with a bunch of other completely nude people. But it’s in Finland, so you’ve got an excuse to travel for the sake of running.
Register here: Here.
3. New York Hot Dog Challenge
Elyssa GreenbergLocation: Manhattan, New York
Reason to sign up: Here you’ve got 2.5 miles and 10 hot dog stops through New York’s Central Park, Midtown, and Times Square. Racers have to stop at pre-determined hot dog stands, purchase a hot dog, and eat it before moving on to the next stop. If you’re into competitive eating and running with a full stomach, this is the highly specific race you’ve been looking for.
Register here:newyorkroguerunners.com
4. Twinkie Run
activeagainstals.comLocation: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Reason to sign up: Here’s a race where people dress up like Twinkies AND you get to eat Twinkies after the race too. This is a 5k held by a non-profit organization with the mission to find effective treatments and ultimately a cure of ALS through research. If you’re looking for a fun time with an imminent Cheat Day Treat that is for a great cause, this is one to sign up for.
Register here: activeagainstals.org
5. The Ugly Sweater Run
facebook.com/theuglysweaterrunLocation: Major U.S. Cities (see if there is one near you)
Reason to sign up: This is the way to fulfill all your ugly sweater dreams (without any real guilt or embarassment). If you’re doing the race in December it’s pretty darn cold, but you’ll get an equally ugly hat to match your sweater when you sign up, so it’s all worth it.
Register here: theuglysweaterrun.com
6. The Color Run
facebook.com/thecolorrunLocation: Many U.S. Towns & Cities (see if there is one near you)
Reason to sign up: This race is like a massive paint party that you run. Runners wear white to the race, or some fun neon colors, and then get sprayed with paint along the race course. It goes by the name “the happiest 5k on the planet,” and from looks of those smiling, paint-splattered faces, I think it’s safe to say that’s true.
Register here: thecolorrun.com
7. The Hot Chocolate 5k/15k
facebook.com/hotchocolate15kLocation: Major U.S. Cities (see if there is one near you)
Reason to sign up: This is a race series that picks some of the most scenic courses in each city they stop in, then throws a chocolate themed party afterwards. If you travel to Philly, you’ll start by the Philadelphia Museum of Art and race by the water, which is absolutely breathtaking. Finishers get the best gift as soon as the cross the finish line: a mug full of goodies like hot chocolate, chocolate fondue, and graham crackers!
Register here: hotchocolate15k.com
8. Zombie Evacuation Race
FlickrLocation: United Kingdom
Reason to sign up: A race for zombie lovers that will prepare you for the day the apocalypse happens (if you believe that sort of thing). Runners are chased down by zombies through an evacuation course to survival, so they will learn whether they can survive or if they will get eaten.
Register here: zombieevacuation.com
9. City 2 Surf
bonditocoogeewalk.com.auLocation: Sydney, Australia
Reason to sign up: Here’s a great race that donates to charity, while providing an excellent course with a gorgeous view. You begin in the city and end by the beach, hint why it’s named City 2 Surf. This is perfect for runners looking for a change of scenery and a chance to travel.
Register here: city2surf.com
10. ROC Race
rocrace.comLocation: Major U.S. Cities (see if there is one near you)
Reason to sign up: This is the “Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge,” basically this race is like an episode of the show Wipe Out turned into a 5k. The course consists of inflatable slides, obstacles, and lots of foam. Each race is not the same as the next, so prior to race day, ROC Race releases a course list highlighting what ridiculous obstacles they’ve created for their runners.
Register here: rocrace.com
11. Mustache Dache
mustachedache.comLocation: Select U.S. Cities (see if there is one near you)
Reason to sign up: This is a 5k series supporting Movember, the movement that raises vital awareness and funds for men’s health issues to combat prostate and testicular cancer and mental health challenges. You do not need a real mustache to compete, but come prepared with a fake one. Men, Mustache Dache provides excellent details on how to grow a good mustache.
Register here: mustachedache.com
12. Bay to Breakers
infiniteendurance.comLocation: San Francisco, California
Reason to sign up: If you’re looking for a race to wave your weird flag, this is the one for you. Each year this race brings in tens of thousands of eccentric people to run through San Francisco. People running in their underwear, nude, dressed as Waldo, in bathing suits…if any of this sounds even remotely appealing to you, then you’ll want to sign up.
Register here: baytobreakers.com
13. Mudderella
mudderella.comLocation: Select U.S. Cities (see if there is one near you)
Reason to sign up: This race promotes “owning your own strength,” while working in a team through a muddy obstacle course to achieve a common goal. It’s not a competitve race, but instead, a test of your own strength. It’s got awesome obstacles like wheel barrowing with a team member, army crawling through the mud, and more.
Register here: Mudderella.com
14. Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series
Andrew McClanahan / photorun.netLocation: Major U.S. Cities (see if there is one near you)
Reason to sign up: No other marathon series rocks quite as hard as the Rock N’ Roll. With a pre and post-race party, your blood will be seriously pumping all day long. Finishers get to party down to some classic rock while enjoying a well-deserved, free beer after the race.
Register here: runrocknroll.competitor.com
15. Avenger’s Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend
rundisney.comLocation: Anaheim, California
Reason to sign up: Everyone dresses up like their favorite Avenger (hello Captain America!) and can run through Disney. The course goes through Disneyland and and Disney California Adventure, where runners will get to wave to Mickey, Minnie, and Donald along the way. This is a race weekend, so you can pick from the easier 5k or the full marathon, covering 26.2 miles through both Disney parks.
Register here: rundisney.com
16. Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
rundisney.comLocation: Orlando, Florida
Reason to sign up: Live out your dream of becoming a Disney princess with this race. Girls and women of all ages and encouraged to come join this celebration, which is full of princess surprises, events, and a post-race Princess party. Like the Avengers races, runners can chose from a 5k to full marathon, which take place in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
Register here: rundisney.com
17. Germanfest Fun Run
germanfest.netLocation: Muenster, Texas
Reason to sign up: This is a fast-paced scenic route through Muenster, an old German settlement in Texas, for a 5k or 15k. After the race, finishers are invited to Germanfest to partake in the festivities, like dancing to live music all day, while enjoying two free beers.
Register here: germanfest.net
18. Krispy Kreme Challenge
krispykremechallenge.comLocation: Raleigh, North Carolina
Reason to sign up: 5 miles, 1 dozen doughnuts, all in one hour…and it’s for charity. Runners get halfway through the course, then stop to try and eat the 12 doughnuts, before running back to the finish. Just this past year, they raised $200,000 for NC’s Children’s Hospital.
Register here: krispykremechallenge.com
19. Great Ethiopian Run
ethiopianrun.orgLocation: Ethiopia, Africa
Reason to sign up: This one is run by a company interested in creating mass-participation events in Ethiopia. They have options for a 5k, 10k, half and full marathons. It’s a great race series that donates over 1 billion birr to charity. If you want to help out Ethiopian social protection and welfare programs, this is the race for you.
Register here: ethiopiarun.org
20. Perth’s World Record Kilt Run
perthkiltrun.comLocation: Perth, Ontario, Canada
Reason to sign up: You get to wear a kilt out in public, surrounded by other happy kilt-wearing folks while people play bagpipes at every turn. There’s even a fun event before the race called the Haggis Toss Competition.
Register here: perthkiltrun.blogspot.com
21. Tacos and Beer 5k
tacosnbeer5k.com Location: Long Beach, California
Reason to sign up: The race itself is through the scenic parts of Long Beach, but the real reason people sign up is the fiesta after the race, where finishers recieve a free taco and a free beer. There is a live Mariachi band, pinata breaking contest, mechnical bull, AND a fiesta costume contest.
Register here: tacosnbeer5k.com
22. Firefly Run
rush49.comLocation: Major U.S. Cities (see if there is one near you)
Reason to sign up: This is a race done at dusk, while the runners wear LED lights. Choose between the 5K or the 10K, and light up the night sky. You’re invited to get as creative with your running outfit as you can to join in the costume contest after the race, where there will be live entertainment.
Register here: fireflyrun.com
23. Tough Mudder
Tough MudderLocation: Major U.S. Cities (see if there is one near you)
Reason to sign up: This is a 10-12 mile race filled with military style obstacles, all in the mud. It is a race for meant true bad asses. It’s not easy, but that is the best part of finishing, knowing you could do it. If you’re looking to really challenge yourself, this is the race for you.
Register here: toughmudder.com
24. Le Marathon du Medoc
marathondumedoc.comLocation: Bordeaux, France
Reason to sign up: This is a marathon meant for people who love drinking lots of wine. It is a world-famous event that will take you on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure through the region of Bordeaux’s most breathtaking chateaux and vineyards. You get 6 hours to cover 26 miles and 23 wine stops, so prepare to drink up.
Register here:marathondumedoc.com
It’s pretty clear that runners will cross a finish line in the most ridiculous ways, as long as there is a drink waiting on the other side. I love you all! Let’s never change.
Source:distractify